A few years ago, I volunteered to “play Santa” for Ryan’s work Christmas party. They had Santa come, and gave a personalized gift to each child who attended. To prepare, they asked the employees to suggest a toy or let them know an interest of each child. There was a $10 budget for each gift. I LOVED doing this. I shopped sales, did price matching, one day sales, etc. And this wasn’t online shopping, either (the shipping would have eaten up my budget), it was shopping in an actual store. John was a baby, and sometimes I took him and Jenna with me while the others were at school. Sometimes I had a babysitter.
Some of the gifts I remember were bionicles (they had a buy one get one free deal, so I stocked up on those for little boy’s gifts), furreal pets, the Dogz, Barbies, and model cars. The older kids were harder to shop for, especially when there was nothing listed as interests, so they got jewelry boxes, CD’s or even a gift card or two to Barnes and Noble (Cole’s favorite gift that year, I think). I had so much fun shopping for other people’s kids with other people’s money. I think I even told someone that I should be a “Christmas shopper” and do people’s shopping for them.
How much has changed in a few short years. Black Friday shopping? No thanks. Shop for other people who I don’t even KNOW? I don’t think so. Shop for needless toys for my kids that will just get broken or be the cause of fighting on Christmas day? Count me out.
What has happened to me? I used to LOVE the thrill of Christmas shopping! Finding that perfect gift was a thrill for me. I still want to find the perfect gift, but I’d like to find it at 50% off with free shipping and have the nice men in brown deliver it for me.
I guess my life has gotten busier in the last three years. Yes, being in the bell choir and having almost every night in December be busy with rehearsals or concerts does take away that urge to shop. Having kids who are also involved in choirs and bands and dance and therefore fill up every remaining available night with their concerts, recitals and rehearsals also takes the thrill out of going out there and fighting the crowds.
I’m not worried. I’m sure I’ll get my “shop back”. Sometime. But for now, I’m relieved that my presents are all bought. Really. All bought. And it’s not even December 1st. Yay for me! I’m sure I’ll find a few more last minute things and remember something that I have forgotten, but for the most part I’ve got the shopping done.  I’ve gotten a few things on line, and picked up a bunch of stuff early. Not wrapped, yet, unfortunately. I’ll work on that soon, but since I don’t yet have the tree up there would be nowhere to put those presents…yet. I’m going to work on that today.
But I’m happy that since Thanksgiving was so early this year, we have one more week to get ready for Christmas. To do all those fun things we want to do to enjoy the season. And getting the gifts done and out of the way early just frees me up to not have to worry about those details.
How about you? Are you a shopper?
I am so with you on the holiday shopping issue. I wait for Target’s and Toys R Us’ “spend $50 and get free shipping” and then do it all online. Even Barnes and Noble has their ‘spend $25 and get free shipping deal’. By the way…free shipping is almost over at target.com. I’m curious though — who has taken over your job as the santa shopper???
My Christmas shopping is done too with the exception of a few small things. I hate shopping and was able to do the majority on-line with free shipping. My tree is up and I am so happy to be able to enjoy this season without a bunch of extra crap still left to do.
Nope. I’ve never been a shopper and my interest in it is still steadily declining. Though Christmas shopping IS more fun.
Definitely not a shopper!!! I can’t believe how expensive things are in those stores. I just take my kids to Utah for Christmas…:neutral::smile::grin::lol:
Did you get that specific item you were wanting? You know what I mean.
Hi! I just found your blog and just wanted to say how much I’m enjoying it.
As for the shopping issue- I get really frustrated with the pressure of gift-giving at Christmas time. It seems to take away from why we celebrate Christmas. I love to give gifts that mean something. I love the search for the perfect gift but when it gets to the point that I’m just buying anything because I have to have a gift for someone it takes all the fun out of it.
I don’t work for Claredi anymore, where Paige was the Santa Shopper.
At Control4, the kids are not invited to the Christmas party (and it always seems to fall on a night when Paige is either at rehearsal or a bells concert), but they do have a really fun summer party for the whole family (the last couple have been at Boondocks).